David de Gea has sent an emotional goodbye message to Manchester United fans, confirming his departure from Old Trafford.
"I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters," he wrote on social media. "I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years.
"We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club. I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestows upon a few lucky footballers.
"It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together. Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings. Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all."
De Gea first joined United in 2011, when Sir Alex Ferguson was still manager at Old Trafford. He won his first Premier League title with the club in 2012-13, Ferguson's final campaign at the helm.
The Spanish international had been linked with moves away in the past. He came close to leaving for Real Madrid during the summer of 2015, only for the LaLiga club to blame fax machine issues for the deal falling apart at the eleventh hour.
The 32-year-old played under a number of other managers since Ferguson's retirement and remained first choice in Erik ten Hag's first season in charge. Talks between De Gea and United had been ongoing towards the end of the 2022-23 season, with his deal due to run down, but no resolution was reached. He leaves the club with 545 appearances to his name, with more than 400 of those coming in the Premier League.
“It takes great quality and character to reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United," Ten Hag said after De Gea's departure. "To do it 545 times over 12 years is a special achievement, particularly in the goalkeeping position where every game puts you in the spotlight.
“To have won Player of the Year awards from both the fans and his team-mates, each on four occasions, shows the level of his performance and he will always be remembered as one of the very best goalkeepers in the history of the club.
“I am personally grateful for the 25 clean sheets he helped provide last season and his overall contribution on the pitch during my first year at the club. All the players and staff send him our very best wishes for the next phase of his outstanding career.”
